2012 Neumeyer Gruner Veltliner ‘Engleberg’

Price: $22
Region: Traisental < Austria 
Grapes: Gruner Veltliner
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Biodynamic farming, steep terraced vineyards with combo of limestone/granulit soil, fermented and aged in stainless steel, wine rests on lees for several months, 35ppm sulfur added, 500 cases produced
Winemaker: Ludwig Neumayer

Ludwig Neumayer is regarded by many as the best producer in Austria’s Traisental region, a newish area just south of the Wachau notable for a complex geology. In the East, towards the Danube, deep layers of clay soil predominate. In the West, towards the Wachau, you get classic prehistoric stony soils called granulite. In between there is a narrow transitional zone where the soil is a poor chalky conglomerate. None of which are considered great soil types, but from these sparse, rocky floors, the wines develop slowly and with great character. Ludwig considers his wine the “wine of stone” – we call it the ultimate Rock Juice! Super bright and aromatic with juicy apple and green herbs on the palate, vibrant acidity and tons of mineral. This is the 2012 vintage (a great one) and it is drinking perfectly now – because of all of that rocky minerality, these wines are tightly wound when young and need a few years to settle and express themselves. The ultimate food wine – try with hard-to-pair dishes like salads, kale and asparagus!